what you bought and loved last month (spoiler alert it includes the best, insanely affordable sweatshirt ever)

Fashion & Beauty

What You Bought and Loved Last Month (Spoiler Alert: It Includes The Best, Insanely Affordable Sweatshirt Ever)

Drescription

We recommended HUNDREDS of products in the 28 days we had in February, but there were 10 products that everyone unanimously loved and bought a lot of. So it’s true, our “what you bought last month” post is BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND. Lots of them are beauty/self-grooming products which is probably a mix of our human desire to perform “self-care” and also the desire to smell good (glad I’m not alone in that) BUT THAT’S NOT ALL. My favorite zero-calorie beverage may have also made the list. So if you’re curious about what everyone bought and loved, scroll through and see the top sellers in February.

Starting out in last place at the big double-digit #10, we have…

10. Mallory’s Aerin Beauty Perfume

I was shocked to see this make the list because I didn’t think people buy perfume on the internet often (and a pretty pricey one at that) but it turns out if someone tells you it smells amazing and the reviews also tell you it smells amazing, you have a pretty good shot at loving it. I got a sample of this in the mail and boy oh BOY was I into it. If you’re looking for a good perfume rec, check out the link up where I recommended this in because the comments tell you everything you need to know about every single perfume on the internet.

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9. Emily’s Favorite Workout Jacket Ever

Em has had this jacket for 3 years and counting and she STILL wears it on the reg. I totally get why this sold so well…a chilly weather-approved workout jacket that you also love wearing for most outdoor activities is one of those things everyone should invest in and it doesn’t get much better than this one.

8. Paper Towel Holder

This paper towel holder is not only cute, but it’s affordable and I believe it makes home a better place. This came from our post about our favorite practical household items, check it out if you missed it! There are some REALLY useful items in there I never knew I needed.

7. Peach Honey AHA

AHA I mean HAHAHA. I had no clue this would get so many purchases, but YOU GUYS. Peach honey AHA is the best sparkling water ever. It beats the shit out of any Spindrift, La Croix, or Buble flavor I’ve ever had and that says a lot because I’m obsessed with all of those sparkling waters. Take it from me, the sparkling water connoisseur…you gotta try this one! OH and side note. When I said I drink 12 cans of these a day in this link up, please know that was an exaggeration. I don’t actually drink that many. It was a joke :)

6. Caitlin’s Body Oil

If you missed Caitlin’s how to take the best shower ever post, then please run over to read it (and fair warning: you will pee yourself laughing). It’s one of the most epic posts to ever have been featured on this blog and it includes the very amazing. PS This was first an Emily recommendation so that’s TWO huge stamps of approval.

5. Caitlin’s Underarm Soap

Caitlin swears by this $8 underarm soap from Megababe –– especially after switching to natural deodorant –– she’s on an eternal quest to make them smell like nothing all the time and she said this helps A LOT. I just bought it too and cannot wait to try.

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4. Groovy Luna Jewelry

I was so happy to see my friend’s new Etsy shop made it on this list!! If you haven’t yet, check out Groovy Luna Jewelry. They have such cute earrings…I have the square hoops on the right and wear them every single day but I also love these moon/star earrings. Sooo cute.

3. Mallory’s Midi Dress

This dress is on a MAJOR sale ($108 to $64) and it’s one we’ve all been eyeing for a looooong time. 10/10 in the midi dress department and perfect for spriiiiiing! There aren’t too many sizes left, so snag this QUICK.

2. Caitlin’s Wellness Journal

Caitlin’s products are all over this list because everything she recommends is so good and this wellness journal is no different. They have about 1,000 different designs and they’re all SO cute, so you can pick the one that’s the most “you.” I just ordered one and I can’t wait to use it.

1. Jess’s $18 Cropped Hoodie

As the greatest steal in 2021, we’re not too surprised to see this $18 ball of comfy up here at the top of the list. It’s cute, it’s cropped (but not too cropped), makes you feel cool without trying, and comes in A TON of different colors. Jess, no joke, now has FIVE. They’re all so good and the price is truly unbeatable. Way to go, Jess! Oh and if you are into tie-dye you are in luck:)

Thanks everyone for reading this post. Short and sweet…we’ll see you next month for March’s top sellers! So long, farewell.

10 Early Black Friday Luggage Deals That’ll Convince You to Retire Your Old Suitcase—Up to $460 Off

Whether you’re visiting family or jetting off on a beach vacation, the holiday travel season is officially here. There’s nothing worse than getting ready for a trip and realizing your suitcase’s wheel is broken or your biggest bag isn’t quite big enough, especially if you’ve waited until the last minute to pack (and let’s be honest, most of us do). Get ahead of the game this year and shop these early Black Friday luggage deals to ensure your packing and travels go smoothly. You can save up to a whopping $460 on luggage right now before Black Friday even arrives. Snag Away luggage, a Samsonite suitcase set, a Vera Bradley duffel bag, and more for up to 73 percent off. Read on to shop early Black Friday deals on luggage below. Best Early Black Friday Luggage Deals Away The Carry On, $206 (was $275); awaytravel.com. Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 2-Piece Set, $690 (was $1,150); shop.samsonite.com. Calpak Stevyn Duffel Bag with Shoe Compartment, $90 (was $112); calpaktravel.com. Vera Bradley Original Duffel Bag, $50 (was $80); verabradley.com. Calpak Terra 45-Liter Carry-On Luggage, $154 (was $385); calpaktravel.com. Away The Carry On The Carry On is Away’s smallest suitcase that’s designed to fit about three to five days’ worth of clothes. At 21.7 by 14.4 by 9 inches and 7.5 pounds, the bag is lightweight and fits in the overhead bin of most major airlines. It features a TSA-approved combination lock and 360-degree rotating wheels that won’t slow you down. The carry-on suitcase’s interior also has multiple pockets to keep things organized and buckle straps for compression. Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 2-Piece Set This Samsonite luggage set includes an extra large and a carry-on suitcase. The Cosmolite bags are extremely lightweight at just 3.7 pounds for the carry-on and 7.7 pounds for the large size. Both suitcases have TSA-compliant combination locks, zippered interior compartments, and crossed straps to prevent items from shifting in transit. Calpak Stevyn Duffel Bag with Shoe Compartment For short trips, grab this compact weekender bag. The coolest feature is the back sleeve that keeps it attached to your suitcase handle, so you don’t have to wrangle multiple bags while traveling. Thanks to the inside and outside pockets, you’ll be able to keep all your belongings organized. The duffel bag even has a bottom compartment for items you want to keep separate, like shoes or dirty laundry. Vera Bradley Original Duffel Bag This classic Vera Bradley duffel bag is a fan-favorite for a reason; the nylon material is durable enough to last through years of manhandling while traveling (some patterns are also available in equally durable cotton garbardine). The spacious bag has interior and exterior pockets and sturdy shoulder straps. Reviewers love using the duffel for overnight and weekend trips and for heading to the gym. Calpak Terra 45-Liter Carry-On Luggage This softside suitcase’s water-resistant, ripstop polyester fabric will stand up to wear and tear from traveling. Though it’s carry-on sized, the bag expands up to 2 additional inches, making it perfect for overpackers. It has a 17-inch padded laptop sleeve and multiple pockets on the inside and outside of the bag, too. With 360-degree rotating wheels, the suitcase is easy to maneuver, as well. Away The Weekender Snag this sleek bag for quick weekend trips or for carting around your gym clothes. Like the larger Away luggage, it has mesh compartments to organize the inside of your bag, including a 16-inch laptop pocket. The duffel has top handles and a removable padded strap that won’t dig into your shoulder, and the wraparound zipper makes it easy to access all your packed items. Delsey Paris Large Expandable Spinner If you’re headed on a longer vacation, this large hardside suitcase is what you need. The expandable bag has two packing compartments with a divider and straps to keep clothing in place, and it has a TSA combination lock. Plus, it’s easy to roll thanks to the four spinner wheels and adjustable telescopic handle. Lands' End Waxed Canvas Travel Duffel Bag Use this stylish duffel bag as a carry-on or as a gym bag. Made of waxed canvas, it features leather accents, a cotton lining, and a removable padded shoulder strap. You can shop it in navy and brown colorways, and the best part is that it’s machine washable to easily clean it if it gets dirty during your travels. Skonyon 3-Piece Hardside Checked Spinner Luggage Set This three-piece luggage set includes a 20-inch, a 24-inch, and a 28-inch bag, so you’ll have an appropriately sized suitcase for any kind of trip. The hardside bags are made of water- and scratch-resistant polycarbonate, and they have a durable aluminum telescoping handle. They also have multiple inside pockets and straps to keep your belongings from moving around too much. The suitcases can be nested to save storage space, too. Samsonite UpLift Softside Large Spinner This large 33-by-21.25-by-13.5-inch suitcase can be made even bigger with the expandable zipper to accommodate everything you need to pack. One of the niftiest aspects is that it has an interior pocket that can be accessed from the outside to quickly grab anything that’s stored away. The suitcase’s handle can be adjusted to multiple heights, which means you won’t have a handle that’s too high or low to comfortably manage. It even comes with a removable wet pouch for toiletries.

I Just Spent a Month in Spain, and These 7 Tech Gadgets Kept Me Safe, Prepared, and Entertained

I recently went on a month-long trip to Spain, and let me tell you, packing for such a long trip is not easy. It requires a lot of planning and hoarding of travel toiletries, and since I tend to think about every potential thing that could go wrong, it causes a lot of stress, too. But I found some tech gadgets that helped give me peace of mind, like a personal safety alarm for emergencies and a portable charger to keep my phone ready in any scenario. Check out my picks below, starting at only $9 at Amazon—including a luggage scale for overpackers (aka me) and Apple AirTags that are beloved by Real Simple writers and editors. Writer-Loved Travel Tech Gadgets She’s Birdie The Original Personal Safety Alarm, $30 Charmast Small Portable Charger, $15 (was $22) Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Machine, $24 (was $30) Apple AirTag 4-Pack, $80 (was $99) Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise-Canceling Headphones, $40 (was $60) Ceptics International Travel Adapter, $24 (was $25) Etekcity Luggage Scale, $9 (was $11) She’s Birdie The Original Personal Safety Alarm Feel secure while traveling with this safety alarm. It’s super easy to use: To set off the siren and flashing LED light, just pull out the top of the device (and to turn it off, reinsert the top). The compact size won’t take up much space in your bag, and it even comes with a brass carabiner clip to attach to a keyring, so you’ll always be able to find it. Plus, you can take the device with you on trips since it’s safe to carry on planes, unlike other safety tools, such as pepper spray. Charmast Small Portable Charger There’s nothing worse than being in an unfamiliar place with a phone battery on 10 percent, which is why this portable charger will really come in handy. I never had to worry about my phone dying while walking around all day with this charger. It plugs directly into your phone, so you don’t have to deal with extra cords floating around in your bag. The charger is compatible with multiple iPhone types, including the iPhone 14, 13, 12, and 11. Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Machine I’m a light sleeper, so having a portable white noise machine (and ear plugs) was key for me to get a good night’s rest. With three sound options and adjustable volume, you can customize this machine to fit your sleep preferences. It has a low LED night light that makes it easy to find in the dark, too, if you need to turn the noise up or down. The white noise machine comes with a USB cable for charging, and it can operate for up to 24 hours on a single charge (it has to be turned off and unplugged every 14 days to keep it running smoothly). Apple AirTag 4-Pack I’m paranoid about airlines losing my luggage, so I finally bought these Apple AirTags to keep track of my belongings. The AirTags connect to an iPhone with the Find My app, and on certain models, there’s a Precision Finding feature to tell you exactly where your items are. They also have a built-in speaker to help alert you to where they are if you’re having trouble finding them. Shop more of my recommendations for must-have travel gadgets below, starting at just $9. Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise-Canceling Headphones Ceptics International Travel Adapter Etekcity Luggage Scale

10 Items You Should Always Keep in Your Car for Emergencies (They Could Save Your Life)

Car troubles always seem to come at the worst times, and if you aren't prepared to deal with them, the situation can go from simply inconvenient to potentially dangerous (and not to mention, expensive, too). So, to keep yourself safe and ready for anything, it's important to stock your car with essentials that will help you out in a crisis. Simply storing a handful of items in your trunk—and making sure you know how to use them—will equip you to manage unfortunate breakdowns, flat tires, and more. Here are 10 things you should keep in your car at all times to make sure you're prepared in case of an emergency. Chargers Our phones can be one of our most important tools during an emergency, so you'll want to make sure your car is stocked with chargers to keep you on the grid. In addition to car chargers, it's also smart to keep a portable charger on hand in case you're stuck in a situation with low phone charge and a dead car battery. First-aid kit A first-aid kit is essential for both mild and major emergencies. If you're on a long road trip and someone gets a headache, for example, it's great to have some pain relievers in your kit. In more serious instances, like a car crash, you'll also want to be sure to have things to clean and disinfect wounds, gauze and bandages, tweezers, and more. Water and Snacks If you end up stranded on the side of the road and you aren't able to get your car back and running on your own, it may be a while before someone can come to help you. So, it's important to make sure you have what you need to stay hydrated and energized. Store water bottles in a small cooler out of direct sunlight, along with a handful of nonperishable snacks. Things like nuts, dried fruits, and protein bars are good choices for providing sustained energy. Flashlight A flashlight is a key part of any emergency preparation kit. If you end up stranded with a flat tire or dead car battery at nighttime, you'll need a flashlight on hand to work on a solution. Storing a real, old-fashioned flashlight in your car also means you won't need to rely on your phone's flashlight, which could waste precious phone battery you need for other purposes. Just be sure to also store an extra set of batteries along with your flashlight to ensure you don't run out of light. (Keep in mind that if stored in extreme temperatures, batteries may corrode.) Jump-start supplies Jumper cables are probably one of the first things that come to mind when thinking about car emergency essentials, so you may already have them on hand. However, it's not enough to just have them in your trunk; you also need to know how to use, and you need to rely on another car to get your vehicle back up and running. An alternative to jumper cables is a jump starter, a portable battery device that allows you to jump-start a vehicle without the need for an additional car. It doesn't hurt to keep both emergency options in your car, and you can always store them with some written instructions on how to use them in case you forget. Map We've all become pretty reliant on GPS for directions, whether that's through the car navigation system or a phone app. So, if you're ever in a situation where neither of these options are available, it's helpful to have a good old-fashioned map on hand. Blanket If your car gets stranded in cold weather, it's important to make sure that you and the rest of the passengers can stay warm. In addition to keeping a couple standard blankets in your car for winter travel, you'll also want to have some emergency blankets, which are specifically designed to reflect your body heat and keep you warm. It's also smart to keep an extra pair of gloves and other warm winter accessories anytime you're traveling in cold weather. Emergency Warning Devices If you're stranded in the middle of nowhere at nighttime or in poor weather conditions, emergency warning devices—like flares and reflectors—will help alert others that you're in need of help. You can use emergency flares to send a signal from farther away and reflectors will provide visibility for nearby drivers and prevent accidents. Tire Repair Kit In the case of a flat or punctured tire, make sure your car is equipped with all the tools you need to repair or replace a tire. Knowing how to repair or replace a tire can save you money by keeping you from having to call for help or get towed. Don't forget a spare tire that can help get you to a tire shop and some written instructions on how to replace a tire. Traction Aids In the case of snowy or icy conditions, be sure to stock your car with traction aids that will help to keep you moving. Things like rock salt, sand, and cat litter can all help to get your tires out when you're stuck on ice or a snowbank.

Is My Sauna Blanket Still Effective After Three Years?? Here’s My Review

Two years ago I did a super low-budget, last-minute “fun” review of this HigherDOSE sauna blanket shot with Mal’s iPhone (some pandemic content still haunts me and yet makes me smile). I had been using it for a year and a half at that time, and since every single person who saw it asked me all about it, I figured you’d be curious as well. So I wrote the OG post with more of a minute-by-minute review (and in that post, I talk about the benefits – both the ones you can prove and the ones you can’t). And listen, I get this isn’t for everyone and that’s fine! Simply come back tomorrow. So when they reached out recently to sponsor some social with their newest version I said yes (despite obviously not being a home or design partnership) because it’s still something I really like and use, and maybe you are into this stuff, too. I, personally, have found that is a huge mood booster (in the winter months, especially) and gives me something to look forward to every night. And I’m not alone – saunas are obviously taking off in America (long since loved in Northern Europe) and are universally credited for being good for your physical and mental health. This isn’t pseudo-science, y’all (while many other things I agree can feel like that). But many of us don’t have the room or budget for a home sauna (although, I’m working on it TBH) so this blanket is IMHO is a GREAT alternative for those of us wanting the physical and mental benefits of a sauna, but on our sofa or in a bed. How It Works: Again, the first post is more detailed, but essentially it’s a sleeping bag that uses infrared heat to penetrate deep into your body through your skin (a traditional steam sauna is also really good for you). The benefits that I feel are mood-boosting, sweating (which always feels good), and most scientists accept that it’s great for circulation and cardiovascular health (the blood flow expands and loosens your blood vessels like a workout does). Yes, you burn more calories than if you were just laying there, but that’s hard to track and not why I do it. I just love the happy hormones released (especially after) which stay with me for a few hours and I tend to sleep deeper and longer at night. This is all my personal experience and perspective (and this post is not sponsored by HigherDOSE, just the social media on Instagram – so yes, we are giving them a free post but I HAD to redo the first one to give better photos). So What Do You Do? Well, you choose your temperature (I’m a solid 8 or 9) and it takes 10 minutes to warm up before you need to get in. In that time you get dressed, head to toe in something light but full coverage (Including socks) or if you have their towel you can go naked inside it (I haven’t done this yet but will next week as I just found my towel again and this sounds pretty darn fun). Before you get in make sure to have all your necessities (kindle, remote, water, phone, apple watch, or heart monitor if you do that) within reach, and lay in it for 50 minutes (make sure to track what time you pressed the button to begin because it turns off 60 minutes after that but there is no timer or count down indicator on the plug thing, which I wish there were). I highly recommend watching mindless TV (either Magnolia Network design shows but realistically something in The Bachelor franchise) as I find concentrating on a book, podcast, or a good show to be more difficult. Or maybe it’s because I never get to watch TV and I have at least an hour or two of podcast time a day walking the pups and Brian and I read every night in bed, so this is MAMA’S GARBAGE TV TIME. Here I’m looking all peaceful like I’m napping, but trust me, Love Island is on right in front of me. The new blanket model, as you can see, has a zipper instead of velcro which is so much better. If you are curious about a minute-by-minute breakdown, again read the first post. But the summary is that it’s super pleasant for the first 30-40 minutes, but the last 20-30 can be challenging (but so worth it). Obviously, you can do a lower setting if you just want it to feel pleasant, but I like to sweat it out and really know that my body was being challenged (but I’m also an endorphin junkie and love to cold plunge in my bathtub, so again, this isn’t for everyone). By the end, I was extremely sweaty, felt hot as hell, and ready to get out and get that burst of “relief endorphins”. I was in an excellent mood for the rest of the night. And a lot of people wonder if it’s gross and smells and the answer is “mine doesn’t”. Most of my sweat is on my clothes and hair or on the towel, but the bag itself stays dry, but they do sell a spray cleaner for those just wanting to, you know, not be disgusting. And there you go. Usually, I do this at night – either 6:30-7:30 pm after dinner if the kids are watching something in the family room or 8:30-9:30 pm after they are down. But this day we shot it during work hours with Kaitlin and Emily, and I have to say it made the rest of the night of solo parenting so much happier and healthier. It’s like doing a mini workout at the end of the day which I find checks a big box and totally curbs my desire for a glass of wine. The Infrared Face Mask Now for one of the most terrifying-looking wellness inventions out there – the red light face mask. I, like many of you, have been hearing about this for a while and it seems like the anecdotal evidence is mounting on the benefits of this as well. I’ve only used this a couple of times so I can’t honestly say that it changed my skin but I will say that there are so many people who say it increases collagen (something I’m very into in a non-invasive way) and helps with acne. You strap it on your head (which isn’t uncomfortable) and it penetrates with infrared light. Feel free to terrify your dog or child while wearing it. My kids are NOT a fan :) So basically you just sit there and wear it, either for a 10 or 20-minute session. I found that I didn’t like to have my eyes open (it comes with tanning salon-style eye covers if you want) so it’s more of a podcast time for me rather than working or watching TV. I’m not a scientist so I’m unsure if the light is bad for your eyes, so please be sure to read the instructions and wear the goggles. But all in all, I’m giving this a serious GO this year because I keep reading more and more articles (not by any brands, but by dermatologists) saying that it’s highly effective in producing collagen (which keeps your skin looking full and bouncy and what we get depleted of as we age). So maybe in a year I’ll have an actual review for you where I can say this easy twice-a-week terrifying mask aged me backward. IMHO the problem with topical beauty products is that it’s really hard to track what is truly effective unless you isolate its use, take photos every day, or don’t change anything else in your routine (including diet/nutrition/lifestyle). I can tell you how much I love how a face lotion feels on my skin, but saying that “Lotion XYZ” reduced wrinkles in a couple of weeks is hard to say if I am also trying out other products or not staying consistent. That’s all to say that unless I commit to using this twice a week for six months I won’t be sure what positive effects I can attribute to it and see its effectiveness for myself. So that’s my plan this year – use it more frequently in hopes that I can see a difference. And if I do notice improvement, like a lot of other people have, I’ll tell you, I promise. Thanks for going along with me on this odd pursuit of reviewing new wellness products that I know some of you roll your eyes at while others really appreciate my experience. It won’t become a habit, but I sure do enjoy it all. And thanks to HigherDOSE for sponsoring the reel and stories (not this blog post). Now, I can’t stress this enough – this blanket is not cheap and she’s big, so it’s not something you want to own and NOT use. If you can go to an infrared sauna spa before you buy for a session or two and make sure you like it before you make the investment (that’s what I did). If you don’t enjoy being really hot, you likely won’t use this and I don’t want you to waste your money on it:) *Oh and lastly, if you bought the first one that has a velcro closing, I don’t think you need to upgrade to this newer zipper version. Sure it’s more streamlined and sleek without the air gaps that can happen, but the first model for me still works splendidly. Goodbye from me and my happy, sweaty face:) If you’d like to try out one of these at home, you can use code EMILY15 for 15% off your purchase.